Bereaved Families Demand Netanyahu Investigation Over October 7th Response

Fourteen families who lost loved ones in the October 7th Hamas attack and subsequent captivity have filed a complaint seeking a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The complaint stems from findings in investigative reports by Ynet and Yediot Ahronot concerning a document Netanyahu submitted to the State Comptroller.

The families accuse Netanyahu of obtaining something by fraud under aggravating circumstances, fraud, breach of trust, and violations of the State Comptroller Law. They allege he attempted to distance himself from responsibility for the October 7th disaster by presenting misleading information to the State Comptroller and the public. The complaint specifically focuses on a 55-page document titled "Prime Minister's Response," detailing how information and warnings preceding the Hamas attack were presented.

Netanyahu submitted this document to the State Comptroller in December 2023, outlining his account of the October 7th events. The document was made public in February 2024. According to the complaint, investigative reports by journalist Ronen Bergman on Ynet, an interview with Netanyahu's Military Secretary Avi Gil, and a defamation lawsuit filed by former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar against Netanyahu, revealed that the Prime Minister's response document contained selective quotes, omitted information, and took statements out of context.

The complaint has been directed to State Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the head of the Police Investigations and Intelligence Department. Among the signatories are relatives of victims and hostages, including Hagit and Robi Chen, parents of Itai Chen; Hila and Yizhar Shi, parents and brother of Yaron Uri Shi; Sharon and Eyal Eshel, parents of Roni Eshel; and Rauma and Gadi Kedem, who lost their daughter Tamar, son-in-law Yonatan, and three grandchildren. The complaint is supported by lawyers Navot Tel-Tzur, Tal Shapira, Shimshon Albeck, and Ron Barkman, and joined by retired Jerusalem District Court Judge Naava Ben-Or, former director of the State Prosecutor's Office criminal department.

Key issues raised include Netanyahu's policy towards Hamas prior to October 7th. The complaint alleges Netanyahu claimed in his document that terms like "calm" and "containment" were never part of his directives, yet investigations and Bar's lawsuit suggest he repeatedly pushed for quiet in Gaza and postponement of hostilities. Another point concerns the security establishment's assessment that Hamas was deterred; the complaint claims Netanyahu presented this as a unified assessment, while he himself championed it publicly as a personal achievement.

Furthermore, the complaint addresses the "Jericho Wall" plan, asserting that contrary to Netanyahu's claim of never receiving or being updated on it, details were presented to him over the years, including a plan for a large-scale ground raid. Regarding targeted killings in Gaza, Netanyahu reportedly claimed he pushed for them while security forces held back; the complaint argues the opposite, stating proposals were repeatedly presented to him but he did not approve them, opting for maintaining quiet. The complaint also touches upon the diversion of Qatari aid funds to Hamas's military wing, with Netanyahu allegedly downplaying the amount diverted and claiming ignorance, despite investigations suggesting the diverted funds constituted about 50% of Hamas's military budget. The families allege he received warnings about fund diversion, Hamas armament, and potential war but took no preventative action, leading to accusations of breach of trust and faithlessness in his role before October 7th. The complaint details suspicions of fraud, breach of trust, and unlawful publication of classified documents related to the State Comptroller's investigation.